Match the Reaction
Defeated Nadal hopes for one more match: ‘I’d enjoy every day if I could’
The Spaniard fell to Van de Zandschulp in singles, but Spain is still alive in the Davis Cup
November 19, 2024
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal greets the crowd after his Davis Cup loss to Botic van de Zandschulp on Tuesday in Malaga.
By ATPtour.com/es Staff
It was not an easy situation to handle, even for Rafael Nadal, who has proven throughout his career that he has an amazing ability to control his emotions. Before he was taken to the court on Tuesday, the former number 1 player in the PIF ATP list could not hold back tears while listening to the anthem of his country, knowing that it might be the last time he does this before going to court. .
“It was an emotional day,” Nadal said later after losing in straight sets in his Davis Cup Final 8 match against Botic van de Zandschulp. “I knew it would be my last match as a professional tennis player. The times leading up to it were emotional, kind of hard to manage, usually. So many emotions. I tried to do it as well as possible.”
To see humor even in times like this… only Rafa 🥲@RafaelNadal | @DavisCup | #RafaSiempre | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/mv5WVKcxvU
– ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2024
The Spanish veteran’s best effort failed to see off Dutchman Van de Zandschulp, who gave his country a 1-0 lead in the quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-4 victory after one hour and 51 minutes. Carlos Alcaraz then took down Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets to force a double rubber in Malaga.
“I tried to have the best possible attitude, with the necessary energy, regardless of the result,” continued Nadal. “There was a glimmer of hope at the end, but it was not to be.” My opponent was better than me today and that’s it.”
Nadal has not played since bowing out to Novak Djokovic in the second round at the Olympic Games in Paris in July. Since then, he has been able to train on the training ground. However, he felt fit enough to be found by his captain, David Ferrer, to take part.
“A decision was made that I will play. We knew it was a bit of a risky decision. “David had seen us all practicing and we all thought I was the right player for this game,” explained the 92-time tour champion. “I tried, it didn’t work, in the end you can’t control your level, only your attitude, your strength and your determination. That did not disappoint me. I couldn’t do what was needed to get a point for Spain.”
Nadal’s form was always an unknown: “I said if I don’t feel it, I won’t play,” he reminded reporters. “I think my practice was good enough, but in the competition I couldn’t perform as well as I would have liked. But the preparation was good.”
As the end of his career draws near, two inevitable questions arise. First, is he ever going to play the singles game again? The man himself replied: “I hope there is another chance, and we are making progress today. I think I would have played a different player if I was the captain, although I don’t have the power to make that decision now, but it’s not up to me.”
Second, does that mean he’d like to hear another game?
“I would deal with it every day if I could,” Nadal replied without hesitation. “But one thing I would like, the other is the best in the group. What one feels is not the best in the group.
“It’s not a lack of desire, I just have a desire. I am here because of my desire. I hope the situation will evolve. I will continue to work to be available in pairs or singles. I’m just talking about seeing my level in the competition, I think if I was the captain, I wouldn’t have chosen myself.”
With nothing left for the Spaniard to prove and with a famous job already in the bag, nobody can blame him for today’s result. He fought until the end. He fought back when nothing was in his favor: the speed of the field, the lack of game time, and the opponent who was better on the day.
“Even after I won, I was always strong and critical of myself,” said the 22-time major champion. “To try to improve myself, I always looked at the negatives. But today, which may be my last game, I won’t be too hard on myself. I had nothing left. That is the truth.”
Editor’s note: This story has been translated from ATPtour.com/es
To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal’s historic career in this week’s Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles honoring the Spaniard. Watch our #RafaSiempre series.
